Definitions

tài (noun) appearance; shape; form
tài (noun) state; condition
tài (noun) attitude; manner

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "态" derives from the traditional form "態", a compound structure combining the component 能, which carries connotations of capability, with 心, representing the heart or mind, thereby originally encoding the idea of an outward manner stemming from an internal disposition. Its earliest meanings focused on concrete appearance and demeanor, which over time extended to encompass more abstract notions such as condition, state, and attitude, reflecting a semantic expansion from the physical to the psychological and situational. The simplified form "态" reconfigured this etymology by replacing the 能 element with 太, largely functioning as a phonetic indicator, while retaining the foundational 心 component, thus continuing to anchor the character's reference to mental or emotional qualities. Throughout its historical usage, the character's conceptual core has consistently revolved around variations of form and expression, with its modern applications in terms like attitude and state demonstrating a direct lineage from its structural and semantic origins.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他的度很好。

Tā de tàidù hěn hǎo.

His attitude is very good.

她今天状不错。

Tā jīntiān zhuàngtài búcuò.

She is in good condition today.

保持生平衡很重要。

Bǎochí shēngtài pínghéng hěn zhòngyào.

Maintaining ecological balance is very important.

他以积极度面对困难。

Tā yǐ jījí tàidù miànduì kùnnán.

He faces difficulties with a positive attitude.

我们密切关注事发展。

Wǒmen mìqiè guānzhù shìtài fāzhǎn.

We are closely following the development of the situation.

你的学习度需要更认真。

Nǐ de xuéxí tàidù xūyào gèng rènzhēn.

Your learning attitude needs to be more serious.

两国关系的缓和势明显。

Liǎng guó guānxì de huǎnhé tàishì míngxiǎn.

The easing trend in relations between the two countries is evident.

这种社会形有其历史必然性。

Zhè zhǒng shèhuì xíngtài yǒu qí lìshǐ bìránxìng.

This type of social formation has its historical inevitability.